JP2010191741A - Touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel to be mainly used for the operation of various electronic equipment for preventing errors and for achieving a proper operation. <P>SOLUTION: A linear separation groove 15 or 16 is prepared at least either between the other ends of lead-out sections 5A and 6A of upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the outer peripheral edge of an upper substrate 1 or between the other ends of lead-out sections 7A and 8A of lower electrodes 7 and 8 and the outer peripheral edge of a lower substrate 2. When a touch panel is mounted on equipment, and a metallic chassis or the like is brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the upper substrate 1 or the lower substrate 2, an upper conductive layer 3 or a lower conductive layer 4 on the side of the other ends of the lead-out section are almost insulated from the outer peripheral edge of the upper substrate 1 or the lower substrate 2 by the linear separation groove 15 or 16, and leakage currents which may cause false detection are hardly generated. Thus, it is possible to provide a touch panel for preventing errors in detecting a depressed position, and for achieving a proper operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel used mainly for operating various electronic devices.

  In recent years, as various electronic devices such as mobile phones and electronic cameras have become highly functional and diversified, a light-transmissive touch panel is mounted on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element, and the display element on the back side is attached through this touch panel. There are an increasing number of devices that switch various functions of the device by pressing the touch panel with a finger or pen while visually recognizing the display, and there is a need for a device that can be operated reliably without erroneous operation. .

  Such a conventional touch panel will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the drawings, the dimensions are partially enlarged for easy understanding of the configuration.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional touch panel. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a film-like or thin plate-like upper substrate that is light transmissive, and 2 is a lower substrate that is also light transmissive. A light-transmissive upper conductive layer 3 such as indium tin oxide is formed, and a lower conductive layer 4 is formed on the entire upper surface of the lower substrate 2.

  A pair of upper electrodes 5 and 6 made of silver or the like are provided at the left and right ends of the upper conductive layer 3, and a pair of lower electrodes 7 and 8 are provided at the upper and lower ends in the direction orthogonal to the upper conductive layer 3 of the lower conductive layer 4. The upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the lower electrodes 7 and 8 extend from the outer peripheral edge of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4, and lead-out portions 5A and 6A, 7A and 8A are provided at one end. Yes.

  A linear insulating groove 9 from which the upper conductive layer 3 has been removed by laser irradiation processing or the like is formed between the upper inner sides of the upper electrodes 5 and 6 of the upper substrate 1 and the lead-out portions 5A and 6A. A linear insulating groove 10 from which the lower conductive layer 4 is similarly removed is formed between the lower electrode 7 left inner side, the lower electrodes 7 and 8, and between the lead-out portions 7A and 8A. The insulating grooves 9 and 10 keep the insulation between the electrodes.

  Further, a plurality of dot spacers (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the lower conductive layer 4 by an insulating resin at a predetermined interval, and a substantially frame spacer 11 is formed on the inner peripheral edge between the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2. The outer peripheries of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 are bonded together by an adhesive (not shown) applied and formed on the upper and lower surfaces or one surface of the spacer 11 so that the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 are predetermined. Facing each other with a gap.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a film-like wiring board. A plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and the upper end is sandwiched between the lower ends of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 and is placed in the synthetic resin. Each wiring pattern is adhesively connected to the lead-out portions 5A and 6A and 7A and 8A by an anisotropic conductive adhesive (not shown) in which conductive particles are dispersed, thereby forming a touch panel.

  And the touch panel comprised in this way is arrange | positioned in the front surface of display elements, such as a liquid crystal display element, and is mounted | worn with an electronic device, and the several wiring pattern of the wiring board 12 lower end is a connector for connection, soldering, etc. Is electrically connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 is pressed with a finger or a pen according to the display of the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, the upper substrate 1 is bent, and the upper conductive layer 3 at the pressed portion is the lower conductive layer 4. To touch.

  Then, a voltage is sequentially applied from the electronic circuit to the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the lower electrodes 7 and 8 through a plurality of wiring patterns on the wiring board 12, and both ends of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 in the direction orthogonal thereto. The electronic circuit detects the pressed location based on the voltage ratio between both ends, and various functions of the device are switched.

  That is, when, for example, a plurality of menus are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 on the desired menu is pressed, the voltage ratio between the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the lower electrodes 7 and 8 is increased. Thus, the electronic circuit detects the operated position, and a desired menu can be selected from a plurality of menus.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2007-310540 A

  However, in the conventional touch panel, the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 are formed on the entire surface of the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 and the upper surface of the lower substrate 2, so that they are mounted on the device as shown in FIG. When the metal chassis or the like is in contact with the outer peripheral end of the upper substrate 1 or the lower substrate 2 on the other end side from the lead-out portions 5A and 6A, 7A and 8A, the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the lower electrode 7 When a voltage is applied to 8, current is leaked from the upper outer peripheral edge of the upper conductive layer 3 and the left outer peripheral edge of the lower conductive layer 4 to the device side as indicated by arrows, and this voltage fluctuation causes an error in detection of the pressed portion. There is a problem that may occur.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel that has no error and can be reliably operated.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a linear shape is formed between at least one of the other end of the upper electrode and the outer periphery of the upper substrate, or at least one of the lower end of the lower electrode and the outer periphery of the lower substrate. The touch panel is configured by providing an isolation groove. When the touch panel is mounted on a device, even if a metal chassis touches the outer peripheral edge of the upper or lower substrate, the upper electrode or lower electrode lead-out part, etc. Since the upper conductive layer and the lower conductive layer on the end side are almost insulated from the outer peripheral edge of the upper substrate and the lower substrate by the linear isolation groove, there is almost no leakage current that causes an error in detection of the pressed location. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a touch panel that has no error and can be reliably operated.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the isolation groove is extended outwardly from the upper electrode or the lower electrode in a substantially U-shape. Even when static electricity flows from the outer peripheral edge, the substantially U-shaped isolation groove can prevent this from flowing to the upper conductive layer and the lower conductive layer. It has an effect that it is possible to prevent the breakage and to perform the operation more reliably without the detection error of the pressed portion.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a touch panel that has no error and can be reliably operated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, in order to make a structure easy to understand, each drawing partially expresses dimensions.

  Further, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described in the background art section, and the detailed description will be simplified.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the touch panel, and in FIG. 1, 1 is a film such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate or a thin plate such as glass. The upper substrate 2 is also a light transmissive lower substrate. A light transmissive upper conductive layer 3 such as indium tin oxide or tin oxide is formed on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 1, and the upper surface of the lower substrate 2 is similarly formed on the entire upper surface. The lower conductive layer 4 is formed by sputtering or the like.

  Further, a pair of upper electrodes 5 and 6 such as silver or carbon are provided at the left and right ends of the upper conductive layer 3, and a pair of lower electrodes 7 are provided at the upper and lower ends in the direction orthogonal to the upper conductive layer 3 of the lower conductive layer 4. 8 are formed, and the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the lower electrodes 7 and 8 extend the outer peripheral edge of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4, and lead-out portions 5A and 6A, 7A and 8A are provided at one end. It has been.

  A linear insulating groove 9 from which the upper conductive layer 3 has been removed by laser irradiation processing or the like is formed between the upper inner sides of the upper electrodes 5 and 6 of the upper substrate 1 and the lead-out portions 5A and 6A. A linear insulating groove 10 from which the lower conductive layer 4 is similarly removed is formed between the lower electrode 7 left inner side, the lower electrodes 7 and 8, and between the lead-out portions 7A and 8A. The insulating grooves 9 and 10 keep the insulation between the electrodes.

  Further, the upper conductive layer 3 is removed by laser irradiation processing or the like between the other ends of the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the other end of the upper substrate 1 and the outer peripheral end of the upper substrate 1, that is, the upper outer peripheral end of the upper conductive layer 3. A linear isolation groove 15 is formed between the other end of the lower electrodes 7 and 8 and the other end of the lower substrate 2 and the outer peripheral end of the lower substrate 2, that is, the left outer peripheral end of the lower conductive layer 4. A linear isolation groove 16 is formed.

  A plurality of dot spacers (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the lower conductive layer 4 by an insulating resin such as epoxy or silicone at a predetermined interval, and the outer peripheral edge between the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 is substantially omitted. A spacer 11 made of polyester, epoxy, or the like is provided in a frame shape, and the outer periphery of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 is formed by an adhesive (not shown) such as acrylic or rubber applied and formed on the upper and lower surfaces or one surface of the spacer 11. The upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 face each other with a predetermined gap.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a film-like wiring board such as polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate. A plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) such as copper foil, silver, and carbon are formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and the upper end is connected to the upper board 1. An anisotropic conductive adhesive (not shown) sandwiched between the lower ends of the lower substrate 2 and dispersing a plurality of conductive particles obtained by gold plating nickel or resin or the like in a synthetic resin such as epoxy, acrylic or polyester. The respective wiring patterns are bonded and connected to the lead-out portions 5A and 6A, 7A and 8A to constitute a touch panel.

  And the touch panel comprised in this way is arrange | positioned in the front surface of display elements, such as a liquid crystal display element, and is mounted | worn with an electronic device, and the several wiring pattern of the wiring board 12 lower end is a connector for connection, soldering, etc. Is electrically connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 is pressed with a finger or a pen according to the display of the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, the upper substrate 1 is bent, and the upper conductive layer 3 at the pressed portion is the lower conductive layer 4. To touch.

  Then, a voltage is sequentially applied from the electronic circuit to the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the lower electrodes 7 and 8 through a plurality of wiring patterns on the wiring board 12, and both ends of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 in the direction orthogonal thereto. The electronic circuit detects the pressed location based on the voltage ratio between both ends, and various functions of the device are switched.

  That is, when, for example, a plurality of menus are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 on the desired menu is pressed, the voltage ratio between the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the lower electrodes 7 and 8 is increased. Thus, the electronic circuit detects the operated position, and a desired menu can be selected from a plurality of menus.

  At this time, a linear isolation groove 15 is provided between the other ends of the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the outer ends of the upper substrate 1, and the other ends of the lower electrodes 7 and 8. Since the linear isolating grooves 16 are respectively formed between the outer peripheral edges of the lower substrate 2, when the touch panel is attached to the device, the metal chassis or the like is connected to the lead-out portions 5A and 6A, 7A and 8A. Means that no error occurs in the detection of the pressed position even when the upper outer peripheral edge of the upper conductive layer 3 or the left outer peripheral edge of the lower conductive layer 4 is in contact with the other end.

  That is, a linear isolation groove 15 is formed at the upper outer peripheral edge of the upper conductive layer 3, and a linear isolation groove 16 is formed at the left outer peripheral edge of the lower conductive layer 4. Since the central portions of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 are substantially insulated from the outer peripheral ends of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2, a chassis or the like is in contact with the outer peripheral ends of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2. However, when a voltage is applied to the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the lower electrodes 7 and 8, there is almost no leakage current to the device causing erroneous detection, and there is no error in detecting the pressed position. It is configured so that it can be operated.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the isolation groove 15 and the isolation groove 16 are formed in both the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 has been described. However, when the touch panel is attached to the device, the location where the chassis or the like comes into contact In the case where only the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 1 or the lower substrate 2 is used, the isolation groove 15 or the isolation groove 16 may be formed only in either the upper substrate 1 or the lower substrate 2.

  Further, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the isolation grooves 15 </ b> A and the isolation grooves 16 </ b> A are disposed substantially outside the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 along the outer peripheral edges of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2. When the static electricity flows from the outer peripheral edges of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 by extending in the shape of the letter, this is the upper conductive layer 3, the lower conductive layer 4, the upper electrodes 5 and 6, the lower electrode 7, 8 can be prevented, and they can be prevented from being damaged by static electricity. Therefore, in addition to the above-described operation, there is no error in the pressing operation location due to static electricity from the outside, and more reliable detection can be performed.

  That is, the static electricity flowing from the outer peripheral ends of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 by extending the isolation grooves 15A and the isolation grooves 16A outwardly of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 in a substantially U shape. However, after flowing through the outer peripheral edge of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 outside the isolation groove 15A and the isolation groove 16A, the electronic circuit is led from the lead-out portions 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A through the wiring pattern of the wiring board 12. Therefore, the upper and lower conductive layers 3 and 4, the upper electrodes 5 and 6, and the lower electrodes 7 and 8 are prevented from being damaged by static electricity, so that there is no error and a more reliable operation can be performed.

  At this time, it is only necessary to determine which lead-out part is connected to the electronic circuit from which lead-out part depending on which circuit of the electronic circuit is connected to the electronic circuit. It is preferable to allow static electricity to flow from the lead-out portion connected to the.

  Therefore, in such a case, the isolation grooves 15A and the isolation grooves 15A and the isolation grooves 16A so that the outer peripheral ends of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 outside the isolation grooves 15A and 16A are connected only to the necessary lead-out portions. 16A may be formed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the other ends of the upper electrodes 5 and 6 and the other end of the upper substrate 1 and the outer peripheral end of the upper substrate 1 or the other ends of the lower electrodes 7 and 8 and the lower substrate and the lower substrate are provided. By providing a linear isolation groove 15 or 16 in at least one of the two outer peripheral ends, a metal chassis or the like comes into contact with the outer peripheral end of the upper substrate 1 or the lower substrate 2 when the touch panel is mounted on the device. Even in this case, the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 on the other end side of the lead-out portion are substantially insulated from the outer peripheral ends of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 by the linear isolation grooves 15 and 16, thereby causing false detection. Since almost no leakage current is generated, there is no error in detection of the pressed portion, and a touch panel capable of reliable operation can be obtained.

  Further, static electricity flows from the outer peripheral ends of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 by extending the isolation grooves 15A and the isolation grooves 16A outwardly of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 in a substantially U shape. Even in this case, the substantially U-shaped isolation grooves 15A and 16A prevent this from flowing to the upper and lower conductive layers 3 and 4, the upper electrodes 5 and 6, and the lower electrodes 7 and 8, and can prevent these damages. The operation can be performed more reliably without any error due to external static electricity.

  The touch panel according to the present invention has an advantageous effect that there can be obtained an error-free and capable of reliable operation, and is mainly useful for operation of various electronic devices.

Sectional drawing of the touchscreen by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Exploded perspective view according to another embodiment Exploded perspective view of a conventional touch panel

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper substrate 2 Lower substrate 3 Upper conductive layer 4 Lower conductive layer 5, 6 Upper electrode 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A Derived part 7, 8 Lower electrode 9, 10 Insulating groove 11 Spacer 12 Wiring substrate 15, 15A, 16, 16A Isolation groove

Claims (2)

A light-transmitting upper substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the lower surface, a light-transmitting lower substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the upper surface and facing the upper conductive layer with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the upper conductive layer A pair of upper electrodes extending from both ends of the layer and having a lead-out portion formed at one end thereof, and a pair of lower electrodes having a lead-out portion formed at one end extending from both ends in the orthogonal direction to the upper conductive layer of the lower conductive layer And an insulating groove formed between the plurality of upper electrodes and the lower electrode, between the other end of the upper electrode lead-out portion and the outer periphery of the upper substrate, or the other end of the lower electrode lead-out portion and the lower electrode A touch panel in which linear isolation grooves are provided in at least one of the outer peripheral edges of the substrate. The touch panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the isolation groove is extended outwardly of the upper electrode or the lower electrode in a substantially U-shape.

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